For Immediate Release: June 19, 2013

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County is Pleased to Announce Nuance Music Group Recording Artist’s Performance at Sandy Relief Polo Benefit for New York’s Oldest 4-H Camp

(JERICHO, NY) Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County (CCE-NC) presents the Cornell 4-H Cup, a charity benefit for Hurricane Sandy relief on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. on Long Island’s North Fork, hosted by the Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp, located at 3186 Sound Avenue in Riverhead, New York. CCE-NC is proud to announce internationally celebrated Nuance Music Group jazz guitarist, Matt Marshak, as the headline entertainment for the charity benefit on behalf of New York’s oldest 4-H camp, which suffered severe Hurricane Sandy damage.

Fresh from a stop in Europe, including a performance at the Mallorca Jazz Festival in Spain, where Marshak was also a guest judge on the Spanish television equivalent to “American Idol,” he is excited to entertain a North Fork audience in the heart of the East Coast’s premium wine country. Marshak said he is “thrilled to be part of this great happening right here in my home town of Long Island.”

A popular figure on the national jazz festival circuit (Seabreeze, Rehoboth, Hartford Jazz, Low Country, etc.), Marshak has been touring recently in support of Colors of Me, his sixth Nuance Music Group jazz label release. JazzTimes magazine has showered praise on Marshak’s unique style, calling his 2008 recording, On the Rocks, “one of the best smooth-jazz CDs of the year, for sure.” That breakthrough recording also yielded a Top 30 nationwide smooth-jazz hit, and his original music has received extensive airplay on Sirius Radio’s Jazz Café.

Marshak is an expert player in a variety of genres and has performed with a who’s-who of New York’s top original bands and artists, even drawing praise from the legendary Deep Purple and Rainbow guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore. He released his debut CD, Preservation, in 2001, and was named among 2003’s best new smooth-jazz artists by New York’s jazz radio giant, CD 101.9.

A prolific producer, songwriter, and musician, Marshak was raised on a steady rock ‘n’ roll diet in a home filled with musicians. When the talented Long Island native is not on the road performing live, or in the recording studio, he is busy writing TV score music and jingles (i.e., his guitar was featured on the Fox Sports’ Mets Zone) or conducting guitar clinics. He also enjoys giving back to the community as a supporter of multiple sclerosis and autism awareness, along with 4-H, and visits countless schools as a musical ambassador for kids of all ages. Marshak explained that “bringing the joy of music to schools brings me great joy, because exposing children to the great American art forms of blues and jazz is something I believe in deeply.”

Cornell 4-H Cup co-founder and CCE-NC Executive Director, Laura Hunsberger, commented enthusiastically, “I am a huge fan of Matt’s music. The Cornell 4-H Cup audience is in for a treat; if they have not seen him perform yet, I can say firsthand he puts on an amazing show and knows how to please a crowd with constant energy. We’re quite fortunate to have an artist of his caliber as the headline entertainment for this important event, with all proceeds for the betterment of Long Island kids who develop confidence and leadership that only the 4-H camping experience can offer. I think Matt’s incredible talent may be exceeded only by his generosity.”

As a proud part of the new burgeoning eastern Long Island music scene, Marshak tours regularly in the U.S. and internationally as his fan base continues to swell beyond the East Coast. Tour information is available at Marshak’s website, mattmarshak.com.

Admission for the Cornell 4-H Cup, which is slated to include a competitive polo match and other entertainment and activities, including the local acoustic trio, Spicy Tuna, along with dinner and drinks, is only $50 in advance, $60 on the day of the event. Admission is half-price for kids ages 5-12 and free for kids under age 5.

All Cornell 4-H Cup proceeds will assist New York’s oldest 4-H Camp, located at 3186 Sound Avenue in Riverhead, New York, on Long Island’s North Fork. Additional information about the family-friendly event is available at the Cornell 4-H Cup hotline at 516.779.1189. Wheelchair accommodations may be arranged by calling 516.433.7970.

ABOUT CCE-NC is a §501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to building healthy lifestyles and healthy communities by conducting educational programs that connect Cornell University resources to community needs for all people in the county. CCE-NC is an educational subordinate governmental agency association that provides research-based information and educational programs designed to build strong and vibrant communities. CCE-NC has been educating and disseminating information since 1914, through funding and resources provided by Nassau County, New York State (through Cornell University), USDA, a variety of grant partnerships, and direct financial support from generous donors who support our nonprofit public service mission.

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